Business Basics: Labor Unions

Labor unions are organizations that represent the interests of employees to their employers. These interests include wages, hours and working conditions. In instances where workers don’t feel as though their needs are being met, their union fees continue to pay them during a strike in a worst-case scenario. These unions are typically industry-specific, encompassing fields such as manufacturing, construction, teaching, transportation and more. Currently, fast food giants like McDonald’s and Burger King do not allow for their employees to form unions. As seen at from events throughout the country in recent weeks, unionization is becoming more than just commonplace in factories and among teachers.